View the Jerry Brown Portrait Process page for the making of the Jerry Brown collage, which was bought by Brenda Jew Waters, a Jerry Brown intern during his first term California’s Governor in the 1970’s.

Customer input through the creation process, is included in all commisions, via frequent email images of the work in progress, to the customer.

All Paul Dessau Collage materials are treated to be archival.

Collage is a fine art form in which a variety of materials are skillfully blended into a whole that is delightfully greater than the sum of its parts. With his keen observation, eye-hand coordination, and vivid imagination, collage artist Paul Dessau works with recycled materials—archival magazine scrap, printed items, and found objects—to create works of art with a range of colors, textures, and patterns. No paint is used.

Departing from the modern trend toward mechanical and electronic methods of art production. Paul works “gadget-free,” beginning by hand-drawing the initial design and hand cutting tiny pieces of magazine paper and adhering them to the surface. Each collage averages over 1000 pieces of paper. Subjects include famous people, such as Marilyn Monroe, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Albert Einstein, as well as those chosen by clients for commissioned portraits. He works from both life and photographs.

The multi-layered artistry in each piece is appreciated when viewed from various angles and distances. Up close, we can distinguish words and images relating to the subject matter; for example, “Mind on Astronomy” has a photo of a celestial event and print reading “Magellan’s First Look at Venus.” At a distance, details disappear, the colors and patterns blending into subtle impressions. In the artist’s skilled hands, Marilyn’s dress becomes black velvet; fine print becomes shading on a face; words and shapes become a starry sky; peacock feathers appear three-dimensional.

Each piece is signed and dated by the artist. Most of Paul’s works are available for immediate purchase; pieces can also be commissioned. Portraits, with customer input through the creation process, via email, of loved ones and pets are popular with clients as gifts for special occasions. Prices start at $450.00 for a works from 18" x 24" up to 30" x 40" inches.

Web site images and content copyright by Paul Dessau, All Rights Reserved.